Refined living

Preserving the architectural heritage of our cities is now recognised as a crucial part of city planning. It has also led to innovative urban design projects, which are bringing new life to both inner city and former industrial areas.

The Refinery, part of The Cutters Landing Project near the Brisbane River, is a good example. Built in 1893 to accommodate the Colonial Sugar Refinery, the heritage-listed brick building has been redeveloped by Mirvac to create 30 contemporary apartments. The project has already won numerous awards, and is the Australian Renovation Project of the Year 2005.

Project interior designer Natalie Goodwin of HPA, Mirvac's in-house architectural and interior design team, says the development was designed to preserve the intrinsic values of the original building.

"The contemporary alterations and finishes were designed to minimise intrusion on the existing structure, which was preserved wherever possible and practical," she says. "We wanted the new parts to lightly touch the original building. This was achieved by layering and standing new elements apart from significant parts of the existing structure. The new architectural elements also make no attempt to mimic or replicate the original building, but are designed to be clear, crisp and clearly defined."

For the apartment interiors, Goodwin says the character and cultural heritage of the building demanded a sympathetic design response.

"The building created spacious volumes, but we still needed to maintain the human scale required for a responsive living environment."

Goodwin says the open-plan design of the apartments makes the kitchens visible from the more formal areas.

"Therefore, a streamlined and well-detailed appliance package was required. In most apartments, the appliances are installed at eye level in a horizontal format, and are an integral part of the kitchen joinery. Full consideration was given to their visual appearance, quality and features."

Miele appliances were chosen to meet these requirements. Goodwin says HPA also endorses Miele's research and development department, which works to ensure the appliances address energy and water conservation, sound insulation and pollution concerns.

The apartment shown here features stainless steel appliances, including the Miele H316/1B multifunction oven, H137MB CombiOven, DA316i slide-out rangehood and KM93-2 four-burner gas cooktop, which includes a flame-failure safety device.

The multifunction oven offers rapid heat-up, enhanced fan heat and fan grill functions in addition to standard heating operations. For even faster cooking times, the CombiOven combines conventional oven functions with a powerful microwave. This oven has a range of functions, all designed to make meal preparation easier.

The slide-out rangehood offers three power settings and lighting for hob illumination.

For ease of washing up, the Miele G638i integrated dishwasher can accommodate 12 place settings. It has low noise levels, fully electronic controls and six different wash programmes.

Miele appliances the W828 front-load washing machine and T494C condensor tumble dryer were also specified for the laundry.

For more details, contact Miele Australia, phone (03) 9764 7130; South Melbourne showroom, phone (03) 9764 7199; NSW: phone (02) 8977 4230; Qld: phone (07) 3632 2430; SA: phone (08) 8352 9500; WA: phone (08) 9478 0466; NZ: phone (06) 350 1350 or (09) 573 1269. Website: www.miele.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas